The New Jersey Devils hire John MacLean as their head coach on Thursday. MacLean played 14 seasons in New Jersey and three for the Rangers, in addition to stints in San Jose and Dallas.

John MacLean scored the goal that got the Devils into the playoffs for the very first time and was on the team that won the franchise's first Stanley Cup. Now, the franchise is turning to him to get them out of a string of first-round playoff exits.

The Devils announced that MacLean, the franchise's all-time leading goal scorer and long-time assistant in their system, will finally get his chance as the head coach.

MacLean, who scored the goal April 3, 1988 against the Blackhawks that got the Devils into the playoffs for the first time, was the head coach of the franchise's AHL affiliate in Lowell, Mass. this past season after seven as an assistant for the Devils. He lead Lowell to a franchise best 39-31-4-6 record.

MacLean, who scored 347 goals for the Devils, will replace Jacques Lemaire, who retired unexpectedly after one season and a third straight first-round playoff exit. MacLean was a candidate for the job when Lemaire was hired for his second stint last July, and recommended for the position last year by Brent Sutter, a man who also beat MacLean out for the job, when he left the position.

The Devils' hiring of MacLean, a man well versed in the franchise's defensive system, signals that general manager Lou Lamoriello is not ready to make any major changes to the system, despite the teams repeated playoff struggles. The Devils have won just two playoff series since winning their last Stanley Cup in 2003.